In an effort to preserve a memory of what music I love I’ve put together this list of the albums I’ve played to death this year. They aren’t in order of preference but I’ve grouped them by new albums this year and those I discovered this year.

All the links are to youtube.

2009

Owl City – Ocean Eyes (2009)

Apparently massive in the state but yet to break the UK. I love the cross between electro, dance and pop.

Best Single: Fireflies  | Best Album Track: Bird and the Worm

Robbie Williams – Reality Killed The Radio Star (2009)

A return to form for Robbie with some brilliant new material. My hope for the next decade is that he sticks to working with Guy Chambers.

Best Single: You Know Me | Best Album Track: Blasphemy

Lily Allen – It’s Not Me, It’s You (2009)

Some of the best lyrics from any contempory artist. The songs bounce between raw emotion to political statement without even alerting the casual listener. Backing tracks are random, with elements of pretty much every genre.

Best Single: Not Fair  | Best Album Track: Fuck You

Lady GaGa – The Fame (2009)

Surprise hit of the year. Even more surprising is that I really like it. Great club songs.

Best Single: Just Dance | Best Album Track: Brown Eyes

Paolo Nutini – Sunny Side Up(2009)

Probably my favourite in this list if I had to pick one. A very happy album with a old school ska/reggae vibe. Makes a great gift for pretty much anyone.

Best Single: Pencil Full Of Lead | Best Album Track: 10/10

Amateur Transplants – In Theatre(2009)

Not your typical album but since I listened to it so much I had to put it on the list. Can’t wait until I see these guys live again.

Best Single: n/a | Best Album Track: Myrrh

Frank Turner – Poetry of The Deed (2009) & Love, Ire and Song (2008)

Probably my best discovery this year. As a folk/pop/punk/singer songwriter/acoustic/country performer he ticks a lot of boxes on my list.

Best Single: Long Live The Queen | Best Album Track: Thatcher Fucked The Kids

Bowling For Soup – Sorry for Partyin’ (2009)

Possibly the worst live gig I’ve ever been to but the album is brilliant.

Best Single: My Wena | Best Album Track: I Gotchoo

Keith Urban – Defying Gravity (2009)

Not Urban’s best album but there are about 5 songs on there that beat most of the UK chart, just a shame he doesn’t promote his records over here.

Best Single: Kiss A Girl | Best Album Track: I’m In

Brendan Benson – My Old, Familiar Friend (2009)

Missed this guy live this year, much to my disappointment, but this album makes up for it. Some great power pop.

Best Single: A Whole Lot Better  | Best Album Track: Garbage Day

Bruce Springsteen – Working on a Dream (2009)

What can I say really, it’s The Boss. With one of the best albums this year he and the E-Street band prove from the first track that they still have it.

Best Single:  Working On A Dream | Best Album Track: Outlaw Pete

2008

Jason Mraz – We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things (2008)

Not quite as good as Jack Johnson but he can knock out a great acoustic pop tune.

Best Single: I’m Yours | Best Album Track: Love For A Child

Georgia Middleman – Things I Didn’t Know I Knew (2008)

A stunning jazz/easy listening album I found on spotify. Well worth seeking out.

Best Single: n/a | Best Album Track: The Best Thing (Spotify link)

Kings of Leon – Only By Night (2008)

Not usually my thing but this album is outstanding. Their move into the mainstream is well deserved.

Best Single: Sex On Fire  | Best Album Track: 17

Panic At The Disco – Pretty Odd (2008)

I never really listened to this band because I didn’t like the look of them, once again proving the old book and it’s cover adage correct. Recorded at Abbey Road and man can you tell! It’s a huge production, with a lot of nods to Sgt. Peppers.

Best Single: Nine In The Afternoon | Best Album Track: Pas de Cheval

Toby Keith – 35 Biggest Hits (2008)

I couldn’t disagree more with this guys politics but he writes a great country song so I love him regardless. (Watch the first video if you like cheesy and half naked women!)

Best Single: Whiskey Girl | Best Album Track: The Taliban Song

Gaslight Anthem – The ‘59 Sound (2008)

A lot like Springsteen but with their own edge this New Jersey band is a big hope for the future.

Best Single: The ‘59 Sound | Best Album Track: Miles Davis and The Cool

Pink – Funhouse (2008)

I expected this to be a single heavy album, but was pleasantly surprised by what I found. All the songs are well written with some lovely cynical lyrics.

Best Single: So What  | Best Album Track: Mean

Taylor Swift – Fearless (2008)

Cheesy and girly this maybe but my love for a country song got the better of me. This is a great album.

Best Single: Fifteen  | Best Album Track: You Belong With Me

Pre-2008

Del Amitri – Hatful of Rain (1998)

I can’t believe I’ve lived most of my life ignorant of this band. Perfect power pop.

Best Single: Roll To Me

Jackson Browne – Running on Empty (1977)

The best live album ever recorded. From start to finish you can join Browne on the road. Love it.

Best Single: Running On Empty | Best Album Track: Rosie